What’s up with the dash numbers? What’s worth more,,,,,,
Example,

A s&w m28-0 or a m28-2?

The higher the dash number means the more upgrades.

What matters to a collector? I’m think a shooter would want the best upgraded revolver? Any thoughts?

I can’t speak to the Model 28 specifically, so just a couple of general thoughts:

First, dash changes were not necessarily improvements or upgrades from the buyer’s/user’s perspective. Often they were just changes to benefit production processes or simplify something, irrelevant or unnoticeable for the user.

Second, for model-specific collectors relative rarity can drive desirability and value. For example, nobody but a Model 10 nerd would notice or know about the differences between a 10 no-dash, 10-2, 10-4, and 10-5, all standard (tapered) barrel models, but the 10-2 and 10-4 were made in very small numbers and a true collector will pay more, all things being equal.

The Model 686 is really a good one to shake this question out.

A no-dash is the original and if you buy one, you will either be looking for the M-stamp or you’ll be pondering whether or not you wish to send it to S&W. The 686-1 is nearly the same.

If you have a 686-2 then you have (in my experience) the rarest, most scarce variant, and you don’t need the recall work done.

If you have the 686-3 then you have a fantastic one and also a chance at the four-way preset adjustable silhouette front sight.

If you have the 686-4 then you have the newer version rear sight and I think that was the first one drilled & tapped for an optic? May also be the upgraded cylinder stop that was no longer a pressed-in button but now part of the frame contour.

686-5 brings the MIM parts that some don’t find as desirable.

686-6 certainly has the ILS... but did that arrive with the dash-5? Forgive me, some of the details are hazy.

Bottom line, it varies by model which dash number MIGHT be more desirable. As for the Model 28 you mentioned, I absolutely love my 28-2’s but the no dash, dash-1 and dash-3 are simply rare/scarce and they made maybe 1.6 gujillion of the dash-2. Seems to me that the 28-2 would be the lowest price of any 28 variant if all else is equal.

Studying the differences between engineering changes and knowing their lengths of production (via a book like the SCSW) is a good idea.

For example, knowing many blued K and N frame -1s were made for short periods of time increases their value. Some are scarce and a few are rare.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

This isn't any sort of argument, but the Highway Patrolman isn't a good example in one sense and it is a classic example in another sense. Here's the story:

First, there isn't any such thing as a Model 28-0; it's a Model 28. These were four screw guns and were only made in the years 1958 through 1960.

The 28-1 is extremely rare. We know of only one extant example.

The 28-2 is by far the most common, made from 1961 until 1982. They can be found in abundance everywhere. It has only three screws and has the left hand threads on the extractor rod.

So, in terms of collector value, the order would be:
28-1
28
28-2

I won't discuss the 28-3 because I know little about them and have no idea how many were made in the approximately three years of production, but they do not show up very often. The -3 is the only HP that lacks the counter-bored cylinder and pinned barrel.

Because of the way you posed your question, I'm not mentioning the HP made before model numbers were used. That is quite a different story.

Together with what others have posted, I hope this helps with your question.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Another one off issue that overlaps dash numbers is ................barrel length

Example the .357 and model 27 was not offered/cataloged with a 4" barrel until 1980 the late -2 and -3s (?) ........ until then they were special order.... so if you find a 4" .357 Magnum (pre numbers/ 1957) or Model 27 it's a rare bird.

"Collectors' are concerned with the smallest details....... Shooters not so much!!!!!

Really? You've been around here long enough to have over 12,000 posts and you don't understand the engineering change designations?

All things being equal older will be bring a higher price.

Not everyone agrees that a more recent engineering change necessarily means the model is better. Some people believe that when the pinned barrel era ended the quality of the design was degraded.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

Dash numbers can also relate to
what some consider amenities in
a given model or the lack of them.

For instance, the Model 19s until
Dash 5 had the pinned barrels and
recessed chambers. Some buyers
won''t look at the Dash 5.

From a shooter's point of view, in
this case mine, I prefer the Dash-5
because as a practical matter I don't
like the recessed chambers.

__________________
Ubi Est Mea

FWIW, the -4 was the last to use the pressed-in button cylinder stop, it changed with the -5 along with mim hammer, trigger and frame mounted firing pin. The more rare and desirable are the later -4 plus, seven shots, especially the 2.5” variant.

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__________________
213th FBINA

The -5s in both the 686 and 586 line were pre lock. They had the new cylinder stop, and were the introduction to MIM bits. Not all the -5s had MIM bits though. My 686 does not, while the 586 has a standard trigger, and MIM hammer.

To the Shooter: quality, mechanical condition, wear, and affordability
To the collector: Originality (grips, box, sights, etc), condition, investment potential, era, and of course Scarcity.

Many of us are a meld of Collector and Shooter and like to own classic guns from the Golden Era of S&W that are of a condition and numerical abundance that they are OK to take to the range and to the field while they continue to go up in value a little.

When a shooter owns a gun and realizes it is a certain level of value he needs to sell it to a collector. So if a shooter realizes he has been taking his 28-1 along on his deer hunting trips he needs to sell it to a collector who will appreciate the little "-1" mark. He can then buy a 28-2 and spend the rest on a John Deere Gator.

Only the Highway Patrolman Collector wants a 28-3. The changes in features (and perceived drop in overall quality from the era)would make it less interesting to a shooter than the much more common 28-2. Collectors of a specific category are always trying to complete the whole set (all the dash numbers, finishes, and barrel lengths offered) while trying to upgrade the condition of each owned example.